Fires Burning

Margaret Bunel Edwards is the author of Little Stitch, The Ocean
Between, and The ABCs of Writing for Children.

Chelsea, alienated from her mother, blames herself for her father’s
departure from the family home. She hates and fears her mother’s
boyfriend, and releases her anger by setting fires. What begin as small,
hidden fires escalate to the point where Chelsea is banished to Hawaii,
where her father lives. When her father is in a car accident, she is
sent to live with her aunt, uncle and two cousins, Beth and Field, whom
she does not know. Summer adventures ease her anger, although the fires
are always in her mind. She meets Dillon, Beth’s boyfriend. He, too,
has a secret and is filled with self-hatred as a result of his failure
to step in when his friends assault an innocent bystander.

This exciting adventure story explores two themes that speak directly
to young people. Chelsea learns that she must tell, and tell again and
again, until her story of being molested is believed and addressed;
Dillon learns that the approval of one’s peers can come with too high
a price tag. Excellent characterization, gripping, clever plotting, a
satisfying conclusion, and fascinating details about Hawaii make this
book a real winner. Highly recommended.